Current-gen LIMITED EDITION games...opinions?

[Oobgarm]

It started with Madden, and is now spilling over. Sure, PC gamers have had that for a while now, like Star Wars Galaxies, for instance. But it's a relatively new thing to the console market, and I'm wondering how it's going to affect the collecting market.

I know that not many folks here are big into collecting the current generation for whatever reasons. But what about those of us that are, or more importantly, those who will be once the PS3 is out? I'm not heavy
into collecting PS2 or Xbox stuff at the moment, but I am aware of what's on the horizon and I do make an effort to try and snag stuff that I think will be hard to find later on.

Some examples of Limited Edition madness:

Madden NFL 2005 Collector's Edition
Halo 2 Collector's Edition
King of Fighters: Maximum Impact LE (http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=B280872A) (click to see, a really nice package)
Dragonball Z Budokai 3 LE
Mortal Kombat Premium Pack (4-5 different Xbox covers)
Ace Combat 5 LE w/Flight Stick (http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=B281138A) (click to see, also very nice)

Any thoughts?

[PhoeniX]

Collectors editions are nice when they have something to offer. As such, when I saw that Madden's collectors edition came with some cool emulated games I thought it important to pick it up. Another reason I would pick up a collectors edition is demonstated by Halo 2, nothing particularly great about it--sure the packagings kinda cool. The only real reason I am interested in this though is becuase I am a Halo nut. These are the basic two criteria that make a so called "collectors edition" worthwhile. THis is not new however we can all remember that MegaMan 8 for the Saturn didn't even have a non-collectors edition. The problem with the emerging industry fetish is the future, my plans are to eventually own ALL games--this will happen shortly before I take over the world, the proponderance of collectors editions will eventually hinder collecting. I see every now and then on ebay for instance that people sell the aformentioned megaman 8 as being somehow special because it says "collectors edition", this is patently absurd, and in the end will lead to more "ebay insanity."

As perhaps a broader question I wonder whether the people here at DP will edify publishers collectors releases by listing them in some future guide as a seperate release. Fortunately I have faith in their judgement. In the end however I can see the analogy that would allow for a seperate listing for madden much in the same way as Mario Allstars with Super Mario World is considered seperate.

The bottom line is though that this has been going on for a long time in japan, and with successful sales for things like the Halo Xbox its something that will likely continue. If it continues in the form of special consoles like the mountain dew xbox and Halo Xbox I would say that it is a good thing, if however we get more Metroid edition non-unique so called special console I will be very frustrated indeed. The same is true for games, a special edition game should be special, not just different label art or some other gimmick, it should (preferably) contain some new unique content.

[hydr0x]

except from a few examples i don't think these are going to be rare:

all PAL

not going to be rare:

- Wind Waker LE (GC)
- Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles incl. Link Cable (GC)
- Primal LE (PS2)

maybe going to be rare_

- Spyro & Crash Double Pack (GC)
- WWE Crush Hour & Wrestlemania 18 or whatever the nr is Double Pack (GC)

[buttasuperb]

I really don't care about rarity, but sometimes, le's are pretty cool. The UT2k4 DVD le has a nice case, and came with a headset, and a bonus DVD. Not bad at all for $30.

I have the Halo 2 le preordered. What's another $5?

I also just preordered MK Deception from EB (Sciorpion cover) MK1 is gonna be kinda cool, and I'm a pretty big fan of MK in general, so the bonus stuff might be interesting.

And yar, the KoF MI le is cool, but the hat is just a bit too nerdy for me. Plus I'm not a big fan of 3D fighters of KoF, so I doubt I'll get it.

[youruglyclone]

phantom brave limited edition had a cd packed in
langrisser generations has a regular and a deluxe edition

[slip81]

Limited edition games can be nice sometimes if they come with good stuff. Like the LD Working Designs games. I'll get the LE of a game if it's a game I already want, but I don't buy games I have zero interest in just because it's LE.


Also were the colored Zelda carts for the N64 considered LE?

[portnoyd]

langrisser generations has a regular and a deluxe edition

Growlanser?

I generally could do without. Sure, collector-wise, why not.. but from a using-those-extras standpoint, I could probably care less.

That Ace Combat stick looks exactly like the spiffy Saitek PC stick. Heh, probably connects by the USB port, just like the PC version. ;)

dave

[Oobgarm]

langrisser generations has a regular and a deluxe edition

Growlanser?

I generally could do without. Sure, collector-wise, why not.. but from a using-those-extras standpoint, I could probably care less.

That Ace Combat stick looks exactly like the spiffy Saitek PC stick. Heh, probably connects by the USB port, just like the PC version. ;)

dave

A bit of info on the Ace Combat stick, straight from Namco themselves....

It's made by Hori.
There will be 20,000 made.
It will only be available at EB and Gamestop.
No remakes/remanufactures/reprints.

[TheRedEye]

I get the feeling the limited edition Ico is always going to be in demand.

[Oobgarm]

I get the feeling the limited edition Ico is always going to be in demand.

guh? I assume this the PAL one?

[Crush Crawfish]

Wasn't there a Special Edtion Batman: Rise of sin Tzu that came with special figure? Anyway, I have to reserve KOF:MI now. I neeeeeeeed that Terry hat. :D

[TheRedEye]

I get the feeling the limited edition Ico is always going to be in demand.

guh? I assume this the PAL one?

Yeah.

http://www.theredeye.net/hosted/icopal.jpg

[esquire]

Limited Edition versions of games have been around for a few years now. They are particularly popular in Japan. There are several DC games that come in both regular and limited edition versions. Some that come to mind are Dead or Alive 2, Shenmue, Border Down, Fire Pro Wrestling, Biohazard Code Veronica and Shikigami No Shiro 2.

Another recent LE is Robotech Battlecry - LE for the PS2. It came with figurines and artwork I believe.

[Nez]

Limited Edition versions of games have been around for a few years now. They are particularly popular in Japan. There are several DC games that come in both regular and limited edition versions. Some that come to mind are Dead or Alive 2, Shenmue, Border Down, Fire Pro Wrestling, Biohazard Code Veronica and Shikigami No Shiro 2.

Another recent LE is Robotech Battlecry - LE for the PS2. It came with figurines and artwork I believe.

Dont forget Sonic.

[MarioAllStar2600]

Wasn't there a Special Edtion Batman: Rise of sin Tzu that came with special figure? Anyway, I have to reserve KOF:MI now. I neeeeeeeed that Terry hat. :D

Nope.... but there was one that came with a lithograph for the cube. Came in a big box like four swords. I never opened mine... so I can't tell you what the picture looks like.

[Nature Boy]

I hate 'em. If I ever want to get a true complete set I'd have to buy two copies of one game, and that drives me bonkers. (Obviously I won't be completing many sets :) ).

I don't really believe they'll be worth much either, since (I'm assuming) the print runs are still pretty large. You can't tell me Madden didn't have well over a million of the special copies printed.

[-hellvin-]

I still haven't decided which mortal kombat cover I'm going to buy. There's just SO MANY to choose from!!!

[Ed Oscuro]

Limited Edition overkill/insanity destroyed the card collecting market for me, but that was the result of a collusion of factors. Gaming seems different, but all the same I don't count on most LEs to be terribly great buys, as they have a high initial price to buy, and I usually don't care for the games on them. I would like to get the UT2K4 DVD edition, though!

By the way, Andy's Hat up above looks very orange.

[izret101]

Some examples of Limited Edition madness:
Madden NFL 2005 Collector's Edition
Halo 2 Collector's Edition
King of Fighters: Maximum Impact LE (http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=B280872A) (click to see, a really nice package)
Dragonball Z Budokai 3 LE
Mortal Kombat Premium Pack (4-5 different Xbox covers)
Ace Combat 5 LE w/Flight Stick (http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=B281138A) (click to see, also very nice)
Any thoughts?

The Mortal Kombats have 5 covers
Sub Zero(PS2) Scorpion, Raiden, Baraka, Mileena (Xbox)

Sub Zero is available at EB GAmes, Game Stop, Game Rush, Game Crazy, Toys R Us, WalMart.
Scorpion is Eb Games only
Barraka is Game Stop only
Raiden is WalMart only
Mileena is Toys R Us, Game Crazy, Game Rush.
http://mortalkombatdeception.com/order.php heres the link to preorder.
Im not sure if you still can because its released Monday
Game Rush was recently added because when i preordered it wasnt available as a choice.

[Jasoco]

Mario Kart: Double Dash!!! with Demo Disc
Metroid Prime with Metroid Prime 2 Demo

Both are completely limited. In that the next time they do a run, the demo is removed. Hope they count.

[goatdan]

Wasn't there a Special Edtion Batman: Rise of sin Tzu that came with special figure?

I think it came with a shirt, but I may be mistaken...

I almost picked that up because one of the local GameStops was selling the new, limited edition version for $10.00 and the regular version for $20.00. That's just weird.

[MarioAllStar2600]

Mario Kart: Double Dash!!! with Demo Disc
Metroid Prime with Metroid Prime 2 Demo

Both are completely limited. In that the next time they do a run, the demo is removed. Hope they count.

Mario Kart is already becoming pretty hard to find. They were only available with pre-order.... most Gamestops don't have them anymore. I recommend picking one up before they become very rare.

[evilmess]

Robotech: Battlecry -- Collector's Edition Gamecube, Xbox and PS2
All came with soundtrack CD, five pieces of full-color artwork, a T-shirt featuring an image of Skull One, a lenticular motion card highlighting the Veritech Fighter's transformation process, and a numbered dog tag.

A year ago they were plentiful and cheap on ebay but now they're pretty scarce although they should still be pretty cheap if you can find'em.

[LiquidX01]

I have the Halo 2 le preordered. What's another $5?




A #1 at McDonalds. :D

I ordered the LE also for the cool case and the bonus DVD which should be alright.

[Jasoco]

I have the Halo 2 le preordered. What's another $5?




A #1 at McDonalds. :D LOL

I too have it pre-ordered. Counting down the days until November 9th.

[Iron Draggon]

Well as far as imports go, I will always pay the extra cash and get the limited edition version whenever possible, since it's always the more desirable one. But for domestic games, it depends on waht it is. If it's one of those evil only at bubblebuster video rental things, I'll just ignore it. I think it's wrong to make a special edition that's a rental only, because it just encourages people to steal it and it makes all known copies very unlikely to even be in good condition. This is great for creating instant rarities, but it's still an evil practice.

Otherwise, I'll probably just get the regular version, unless the limited edition is something I really want. Then I'll get that one and I may even get both versions. But I'm not gonna take the time and spend all the money required to get all 100 disk variations or all 100 box variations, or whatever. Those kinda things just piss me off. Yeah, they are really cool, but if you're gonna be like Working Designs and make a dozen different versions of the same disk, expecting that people will want to collect them all, at least give people a way to know which disk they're getting without having to buy it first! Think about it, was there any feasible way for someone to collect all the different Lunar disks other than the secondhand market, when they originally sold for about $50 a piece with no way to tell which one you were getting? That was a terribly misguided marketing scheme that could've been handled much better and actually truly had the collector in mind, but they blew it.

So I dunno. As a general rule, I dislike them, but I still collect them anyway. They should always be truly different besides just the packaging though. At least change the label on the disk somehow so if all you have is the cart or the disk out in the wild, you still know that it has something special about it. And another thing that I would really like to see which I don't believe has been done yet is that the limited editions should have some kind of bonus content in the game. An extra level, an extra character, an extra vehicle, a special weapon, something to make it unique over the regular version in a way other than cosmetic appearance. They do this alot in the PC gaming world, but it still seems to be very rare in the console gaming world now.